This is Jason Buffington for HACNews.com. Today, my guest is the “Voice of the Octagon”, Bruce Buffer.
Jason Buffington: Bruce, how are you feeling today?
Bruce Buffer: All is wonderful.
JB: Most people know you for your role with ring announcing as the fighters enter and exit the Octagon. How do you prepare for a days work in the UFC?
BB: I train the morning of the show, steam, sound check, make sure all my cards are in order, eat a good meal and relax. My first fight is at 5:00 and the PPV starts at 7:00 and I usually have 9 fights to announce aside from all the other things needed to be done during the show.
JB: How did you and your brother, Michael Buffer, get into announcing?
BB: He started announcing over 25 years ago. I began managing his career around 16 years ago and when I saw the opportunity to get into the Octagon, I spoke with the then owner and he gave me a shot at UFC 8. The rest is history over the last 11+ years.
JB: How long is your current contract for? Any other options out there after it expires, or are you a “UFC’er” for life?
BB: I have an exclusive contract with the UFC to only announce MMA fights for them which I agreed to this year. I am a “UFC'er” for as long as I have the passion to continue to do so which will be for many years to come.
JB: I am glad to hear that we will have you in the UFC. So, how did you become a MMA fan?
BB: I have been in martial arts for most of my life and have been hooked since UFC 1.
JB: Well, you have me by a couple of years. I watched UFC 1 live, but wasn’t hooked until UFC 2. What would you consider the best fight you have even seen live?
BB: Too many to count in either category as I have announced well over 1,000 fights.
JB: Over 1,000 fights announced?! I can’t even think of watching 1,000 fights. So, who would you like to see in the UFC and why?
BB: Fedor, which should be soon as he is considered the most dominant Heavyweight and I want Randy Couture to beat him before he retires.
JB: (laughing) I know you said the UFC will have you around for as long as you want to announce, but do you have any time frame as to how long that will be?
BB: For a long time. (Really emphasizes the word ‘long’)
JB: Who are some of your favorite fighters?
BB: Randy Couture is my favorite... Rampage Jackson... Chuck Liddell... Houston Alexander... Roger Huerta... George St. Pierre... BJ Penn... Forrest Griffin, and many others.
JB: What do you consider the greatest moment in UFC history?
BB: Randy Couture winning the Heavyweight Championship after coming out of retirement and the day the Fertittas and Dana bought the UFC to make it what they have today.
JB: Do you think the UFC will ever welcome women into the Octagon? Do you have any feelings on women fighting?
BB: I hope not and am not a fan of women fighting unless evenly matched and skilled. Gina Carano is one I do like to watch but hope the UFC sticks to the male fighters only.
JB: At UFC 76, there was a bit of controversy surrounding one of the fights. Who did you think won the Michael Bisping vs. Matt Hamill fight? Also, would you like to see a rematch?
BB: It was questionable and yes I do see a rematch in the future. Both are great guys and fighters.
JB: Were you surprised that Keith Jardine took the decision win from Chuck Liddell at UFC 76?
BB: After watching by the cage for 3 rounds, I had it 2 rounds to 1 for Jardine. I was not surprised with the outcome. Chuck is more than likely thinking very hard about where he wants to go with his career after this fight, in my opinion.
JB: So, are you hinting at retirement for Chuck? I hope not. What are your feelings on the arrival of “Shogun” Rua and his performance against Forrest Griffin?
BB: Happy he is in the UFC and not impressed by his performance, although Forrest fought him like a relentless "junk-yard dog" and would not let up.
JB: Care to offer any picks for UFC 77: Hostile Territory?
BB: I never announce my picks in the media and only hope for great fights with the best man winning.
JB: Touche, I can understand that. What is your feeling on steroids in the sport? What do you think a fair system of punishment is?
BB: Hate steroids, don't think they are good for fighters and support as hard a punishment as can be handed out to send a message each and every time, which Dana seems like he is doing. Our sport is pure and our fighters should always follow.
JB: We here at HACNews offer our congratulations to your brother on his recent engagement. Were you surprised when he got engaged a couple of weeks ago live on Jay Leno? Did you know it was coming or was it a total surprise to you?
BB: That was great wasn't it? I set that up with the Tonight Show to make it a complete surprise for his fiancé to be... worked out perfectly.
JB: Yes, I was watching the show live and it was very well put together. I must commend you on that. What are some of your other hobbies outside of the UFC and obviously poker?
BB: I love to surf, play poker as a semi-pro, read, am a total film buff and have many different business endeavors, which keep me very busy when not in the Octagon. Plus I am single, so need time for that area of pursuit also.
JB: Do you currently train and if so, where at and with whom?
BB: I have two black belts from my early years and many years of kick-boxing under my belt. I now train with kettle-bells, yoga and in the arts to stay in shape but no fighting anymore. Been there, done that, and miss it, but had to stop sometime.
JB: There were rumors some time ago about an altercation with you and Frank Trigg. Do you care to elaborate on what happened and tell us your side of the story?
BB: Yes we had a little go in an elevator last year in front of Dana White at the Hard Rock in Vegas after a Spike TV UFC show. He throat tapped me and I was like what the hell? I then hit him twice in the stomach, but neither of us swung at the other's face. After we got to the bottom floor, I ended up in a rear choke position but did not clamp it down. If anyone wants to hear the whole story in my words and Frank's on his radio show, you can listen at the link below, which is a fun listen from what I am told:
http://taggradio.com/archives/20070619.mp3JB: I am definitely going to have a listen at this and figure out what really happened. Most fans out there think of you as the “Voice of the Octagon” and that is your only passion. I, however, know that you love playing poker. I have even sat down and played with you at FullTiltPoker.com and I must admit you are quite good. When did you start playing poker? What got you into the game?
BB: I have played since I was 13 years old and avidly for many years in the casinos but entered the world of No Limit and tournaments about 3 years ago and online last year. I have had a nice winning year and recently ESPN had me and Moneymaker playing each other at the 2007 WSOP Main Event on TV, which was a lot of fun.
JB: Speaking of the 2007 WSOP Main Event, can you describe your experience of the whole tournament for me.
BB: Awesome, but had only 3 hours sleep as I flew in from Sacramento after announcing the UFC the night before. I had to make the noon start time and wanted to change my 1st day to Monday. When I got there at 11:30am, they told me out of 1,600 tables that I was picked to play at the main televised ESPN table. My answer was "OK, Red Bull and keep em coming." I lasted about 8 hours before losing on a pot odds call with a King high flush to an Ace high flush. I'll be back next year but I got a lot out of this year’s event and am very happy.
JB: For those who don’t know poker, Bruce lost to the one card that could beat him, such a bummer. How does it feel to sit at the same table as big time pros like Doyle Brunson, Gavin Smith, Gus Hansen and Phil Ivey?
BB: Feels great and I welcome the play of any notable pro. I am in awe of Doyle Brunson but everyone else is flesh and blood just like me and I like to make them bleed chips to me whenever possible.
JB: I see you have that winning aspect and love to take anyone’s money who wants to sit and gamble with you. That is a characteristic of a true pro. Before I let you go, anything else you want to mention to your fans out there? Also, any sponsors you want to thank?
BB: I wish to thank all for being fans of the UFC, MMA, and poker. Hopefully you enjoy my work in the Octagon and please say hello whenever you see me to talk poker or the UFC. Without all the great UFC fans out there, we would not be where we are today, thanks to your support.
You can play poker with me at Full Tilt or at my licensed poker site
http://www.rumblepoker.com/JB: Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with me and HACNews.com. We really appreciate it. We look forward to UFC 77 and hearing you say. “We are LIVE!”
BB: Thank you Jason as I do too being a fan first. On one last note to all who read this which IMO applies to anything you do in life is my mantra: "BIG CHEERS & NO FEARS FOREVER!"
All my best wishes to you and your readers and I'll see you from the Octagon or on the "Green-Felt Battle-Field".
